§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to ensure creative writing skills are developed at an early age. [798]
§ Mr. TimmsWe are committed to ensuring that children enjoy writing and develop the skills they need in order to express themselves clearly and creatively. The National Literacy Strategy "Framework for Teaching" ensures that primary school pupils are taught to write independently from an early stage, and that they are given opportunities to undertake a wide range of writing. In May 2001, we published practical guidance for teachers of four to seven-year-olds on "Developing Early Writing", which emphasises the role of imaginative play and talk in improving writing in the first years of school.